Bug off

The wet spring in many parts of the country, including ours, produced mosquito-nurturing ponds. Now the mosquitoes are here. Their presence prompts Bible-believers to see where these annoying insects fit into the cosmic scheme.

Unfortunately, mosquitoes do not get mentioned in the scriptures at all. That seems strange, since the biblical authors do pretty well at locating and describing most creatures that plague humans. Deuteronomy 14:19 comes generically close. In its law we find that “all winged insects are unclean for you; they shall not be eaten.” That command should help us resist the temptation to munch on mosquitoes. We simply have to endure their females’ attempts to eat us. We have to turn the other cheek for a second bite.